Nurses go in with the doctor. Should pastors take a woman in the room when counseling an adult female member?

It is general practice today to take another profesional with you when alone with a client so that there can be a witness. Is this practice going to far or is it acceptable by female adults or males ?

Nurses go in rooms with doctors when he is alone with patients

The question refers to a male pastor

I think it's generally a good practice so that there is no way for accusations of impropriety or sexual advances. If nothing else, some people may feel less insecure and more comfortable if they don't think anything bad is going to happen.

Billy Graham (as an example) always made sure that someone was in the room when he was counseling or talking to a woman, and he never had anyone accuse him of sexual advances or anything in a negative light. I think that serves as a great witness for what should be done in all cases where two members of the opposite sex are meeting together... there should be someone else to serve as a witness if nothing else.

not unless you're planning on fondling her breasts for tumors or looking up her twat? DOH!!!!!

Yes. His wife should be present, or perhaps another trusted female member of the staff.

Excellent question. Probably would be a good idea for the protection of both the pastor and the woman; but then the woman would lose the benefit of confidentiality. I really don't know what the solution could be in this situation.

In most states such as California were I practice as a nurse practitioner, it is required by law to have a nurse present when a male doctor is examining a female patient, and when a female doctor is examining a male patient. As a Nurse Practitioner when I volunteer at planned parent hood I always take a nurse in with me when examining a patient be it a female or a male just to be on the safe side. This law was created to protect both the patient and the doctor. As in most cases touching of the patient is required.
However I do not think I would feel comfortable having another person present while talking to my priest.
Since there should be no touching I do not see any reason for another person to be present while you are being counseled by your church leader i.e. priest, pastor, minister.
If you have to be afraid of being molested etc.. by your clergy then maybe they are not the person you should be going to for guidance.

Take care!
Kali :-)

I understand what your saying, and sometimes that may not be a bad idea.

My male doctor doesn't as a rule take a female nurse into the room, but if you request it the request is honored. I'm sure the church would do the same, but most people wouldn't want counseling from someone they feel that uncomfortable with. Like doctors (and most professionals) there is a code of conduct that should be honored so that requirement or precaution is not necessary, but not everyone is as honorable as they should be. Maybe the third party could be present to protect the pastor as much as the woman. Some religions, like Methodist, allow women to be "pastors".